Comparing caffeine across drinks gets confusing because cans come in different sizes. The clean way to do it is to put every drink on the same basis: milligrams per can and milligrams per fluid ounce, straight from the label.
The Caffeine Math
Here's what the labels show. Competitor figures are from the brand's own product page, checked October 30, 2026.
| Drink | Can size | Caffeine | Caffeine per fl oz | Total sugars | Calories |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bare Brew Cold Brew (label) | 12 fl oz | 320mg | 26.7mg | 0g | 20 |
| Red Bull Energy Drink (label) | 8.4 fl oz | 80mg | 9.5mg | 26g | 110 |
Bare Brew is our own product. Per fluid ounce, the figures above work out to 26.7mg for Bare Brew (320 divided by 12) and 9.5mg for Red Bull (80 divided by 8.4).
Across categories, the FDA's own ranges overlap a lot. In its caffeine consumer update, the FDA lists:
- Energy drinks: 41 to 246mg per 12 fl oz.
- Regular brewed coffee: 113 to 247mg per 12 fl oz.
- "Energy drinks" in general: 54 to 328mg per 16 fl oz.
So "cold brew vs energy drinks" doesn't have one answer. It depends on the specific can. For more brands, see our cold brew caffeine guide and our canned coffee caffeine rankings.
Where the Caffeine Comes From
The FDA says caffeine must appear in the ingredient list when it's added to a packaged food as a stand-alone ingredient, while stating the amount is voluntary (FDA). Energy drinks that add caffeine list it as an ingredient. In black coffee, the caffeine is part of the coffee itself, so it doesn't appear as a separate line. Either way, the label is where to look for the amount.
Red Bull's own ingredients page names caffeine, taurine, B-group vitamins (niacin, pantothenic acid, B6 and B12), sugars and water among its main ingredients (Red Bull). A black cold brew's ingredient list is typically coffee and water. Read the full label of the exact drink you're comparing, since flavors and editions differ.
The Sugar Line
Sugar is where the two categories often differ most. According to the FDA, the Daily Value for added sugars is 50 grams per day on a 2,000 calorie diet, and the Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend keeping calories from added sugars under 10 percent of total calories. An 8.4 fl oz Red Bull lists 26g of total sugars, which is about half of that 50 gram figure. Sugar-free energy drinks exist too, so check the Added Sugars line on the can you're actually buying.
A Note on Caffeine and Who Should Skip It
FDA says up to 400mg a day is an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults. The FDA also notes that medical experts advise against energy drinks for children and teens because of their sugar and caffeine levels, that people who are pregnant, trying to become pregnant or breastfeeding should talk with their health care provider about caffeine, and that certain conditions and some medications can make people more sensitive to caffeine's effects (FDA).
How to Choose
If you're deciding between a cold brew and an energy drink, compare the same five things on each label:
- Caffeine per can, and whether it's printed at all.
- Caffeine per fluid ounce, so different can sizes compare fairly.
- Added sugars, in grams.
- Calories.
- The ingredient list, and how long it is.
Taste, price per can and where you can buy it matter too. An energy drink is easy to find in almost any store, and many come in flavors. Black cold brew tastes like coffee.
What's on the Bare Brew label
No sugar. No dairy. Bare ingredients, a special blend of coffee and water. 320mg caffeine, 0g sugar and 20 calories per 12 fl oz can. Shelf-stable, usually ships the same or next business day.
Add a 12-pack, $4.50/can →$8.99 flat shipping on every order — no minimums · 30-day money-back guarantee
Frequently Asked Questions
Does cold brew have more caffeine than energy drinks?
It depends on the can. The FDA lists energy drinks at 41 to 246mg per 12 fl oz and regular brewed coffee at 113 to 247mg per 12 fl oz. On their labels, a 12 fl oz can of Bare Brew has 320mg and an 8.4 fl oz Red Bull has 80mg.
How much caffeine is in Red Bull?
Red Bull's own product page lists 80mg of caffeine in an 8.4 fl oz can, about 9.5mg per fluid ounce.
How much sugar is in Red Bull?
Red Bull's own product page lists 26g of total sugars and 110 calories in an 8.4 fl oz can.
How much caffeine is in a can of Bare Brew?
Each 12 fl oz can of Bare Brew has 320mg of caffeine, about 26.7mg per fluid ounce, with 0g sugar and 20 calories. FDA says up to 400mg a day is an amount not generally associated with negative effects for most healthy adults, so count it with any other caffeine you have that day.
Keep Reading:
- How Much Caffeine Is in Cold Brew Coffee?
- Canned Coffee Ranked by Caffeine
- Unsweetened Cold Brew Coffee
- Canned Cold Brew Coffee: Brands Compared
Sources:
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Spilling the Beans: How Much Caffeine Is Too Much?"
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. "Added Sugars on the Nutrition Facts Label."
- Red Bull. "Red Bull Energy Drink: Ingredients" (US, checked October 30, 2026).
No sugar. No dairy. 320mg caffeine.
Bare ingredients, a special blend of coffee and water. Try a 12-pack at $4.50/can.
Shop Bare Brew →Usually ships the same or next business day · $8.99 flat shipping on every order — no minimums · 30-day money-back guarantee
This article is general information, not medical advice. Bare Brew is a coffee drink, not a treatment for any condition. Each 12 fl oz can has 320mg of caffeine. It's not recommended for children, people who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone sensitive to caffeine. If you take medication or have a health condition, talk to your doctor about caffeine.
